Finding the perfect present for a child fascinated by creatures great and small can be a delightful challenge. Whether you aim to nurture a budding interest in nature or encourage an existing passion for wildlife, the right gift can make a world of difference. This guide explores a variety of engaging Gifts For Animal Loving Kids, thoughtfully selected to not only entertain but also foster valuable skills like patience, creativity, literacy, and planning. From intricate building sets to captivating games and educational toys, these ideas promise to connect children with the wonders of the animal kingdom.
Creative and Constructive Play
Engaging children’s creativity while exploring animal themes is a fantastic way to learn. Building toys and puzzles offer hands-on fun and skill development.
LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Deep Sea Creatures
LEGO remains a timeless favorite for both children and adults. Among their extensive range of wildlife sets, the 3-in-1 Deep Sea Creatures kit (230 pieces) stands out. It allows young builders to construct a fearsome shark with movable joints, accompanied by a posable crab and a treasure chest. The fun doesn’t stop there; the set can be rebuilt into a mysterious squid or a fascinating angler fish. LEGO even provides bonus instructions on their website for building a whale, offering endless possibilities for imaginative underwater adventures and making it one of the top building Gifts For Animal Loving Kids.
LEGO Creator Deep Sea Creatures set showing shark, crab and treasure chest models
World Map Jigsaw Puzzle For Kids (300 pieces) by Elena Essex
Puzzles are excellent tools for developing problem-solving skills and spatial reasoning. Illustrator Elena Essex offers a beautifully designed 300-piece world map jigsaw puzzle specifically for kids (recommended for ages 7+). This puzzle features charming illustrations of animals and landmarks across the globe, helping children learn geography alongside wildlife facts. A full-size colour poster is included to assist younger puzzlers, and the box itself is made from recycled materials, adding an eco-conscious touch. For older children and adults, Elena Essex also offers more complex 1000-piece puzzles.
Completed Elena Essex 300-piece world map jigsaw puzzle showing colourful animal illustrations
Build Your Own Microscope Kit
For the scientifically curious child (aged 8+), this build-your-own microscope kit offers a unique, sustainable alternative to plastic toys. Made primarily from sturdy cardboard, assembling the microscope is part of the fun, though younger children might need a little help with fiddlier parts like the eyepiece. Once built, it provides a surprisingly effective 30x magnification, allowing kids to examine everyday objects like twigs, leaves, or fabric fibres up close. It’s a fantastic STEM gift that encourages exploration and discovery of the miniature world around them.
Build Your Own Microscope kit packaging showing cardboard components
Engaging Games for Young Naturalists
Games provide a fun, interactive way for children to learn about animals and test their knowledge and reflexes.
Who’s Hiding … In the Jungle? A Spot and Match Game
This deceptively simple matching game is surprisingly addictive for all ages (officially 4+). Players race to match animal cards from their hand to species depicted on beautifully illustrated jungle scene cards. The pressure builds as everyone frantically scans the vibrant artwork, leading to triumphant shouts of “Pangolin!” or “Tiger!”. It’s fast-paced, easy to learn, and a great way to introduce children to diverse jungle wildlife while honing observation skills.
Who’s Hiding in the Jungle game box and components displayed
Close-up of Who’s Hiding in the Jungle game cards showing various animal illustrations
Squirrel Rush Tile Placement Game
In Squirrel Rush (Age 6+, 2-6 players), participants become competitive squirrels gathering nuts before winter. This tactical tile-placement game is simple to set up and plays quickly (15-30 minutes). Players strategically choose paths through the glade to collect the most acorns. The game features satisfying wooden squirrel pieces and charming card illustrations, making it appealing for families. It’s ideal for fans of logic puzzles or those needing a shorter, engaging game, perfect for younger attention spans.
Squirrel Rush board game setup with tiles and wooden squirrel pieces
Close-up of Squirrel Rush game cards featuring red squirrel illustrations
Ocean Bingo
Bingo gets a marine makeover! This straightforward board game eliminates complex rules, making it perfect for rainy days or restless kids. Players receive a game card featuring 25 ocean creatures (out of 64 possible). As creature tokens are drawn and called out, players cover the matching squares on their cards. The first to complete their card shouts “Bingo!”. It’s an excellent way for children to familiarize themselves with marine species, from the red lionfish to the leatherback sea turtle. Laurence King Publishing offers many other wildlife-themed bingo sets, including Birds, Bugs, Monkeys, and even Dinosaurs.
Ocean Bingo game box and components including cards and tokens
The Lost Words Card Game
Based on the acclaimed book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, The Lost Words card game (ages 8+) invites players into the beauty of the natural world. The objective is simple: be the first to match the nature-themed cards in your hand with those laid out on the table. Beautiful illustrations adorn each card, featuring words like ‘bramble’, ‘wren’, ‘otter’, and ‘lark’. Special cards, like the magpie, add a strategic twist, allowing players to ‘steal’ completed pairs from opponents. It’s a delightful game that encourages familiarity with British wildlife vocabulary.
The Lost Words card game packaging
Example card from The Lost Words game featuring an otter illustration
Unique and Practical Animal-Themed Gifts
Beyond toys and games, practical items and unique keepsakes can also celebrate a child’s love for animals.
Amazing Insects Glow in the Dark Jigsaw Puzzle (100 pieces)
Add an extra layer of wonder to puzzling with this 100-piece jigsaw featuring vibrant illustrations of insects like beetles, grasshoppers, and butterflies. Suitable for ages 5+, the puzzle pieces are made from recycled materials. The real magic happens when the lights go out – the puzzle glows in the dark! This feature is sure to captivate young naturalists. Mudpuppy offers other glow-in-the-dark puzzles featuring themes like Frogs & Lizards, Rainforest, and Dinosaurs. These make fantastic gifts for animal loving kids who appreciate a little nighttime magic.
Amazing Insects Glow in the Dark 100-piece jigsaw puzzle assembled
Custom Wildlife Name Print by Tiffany Francis-Baker
Artist Tiffany Francis-Baker creates stunning custom name prints perfect for a child’s bedroom or nursery. Each letter of the alphabet is intricately illustrated with British wildlife, making these prints both beautiful decor and a learning tool. Choose a child’s name, a favorite animal-related word, or the entire alphabet to help them learn letters while appreciating nature’s artistry.
Example of a custom wildlife name print showing letters illustrated with British animals
Personalised Shark Water Bottle by amylucydesigns
Encourage hydration and sustainability with a reusable metal water bottle featuring an adorable shark design. Available from amylucydesigns on Etsy, these bottles can be personalised with a child’s name, reducing mix-ups at school or daycare. It comes with two lid options for convenience. Other wildlife designs like lions, foxes, and crocodiles are also available, making them practical and fun gifts for animal loving kids.
Personalised metal water bottle with a cute shark design and name
Chocolate Animals by Cocoa Loco
Treats can be animal-themed too! Cocoa Loco offers delightful chocolate animal shapes made from Fairtrade, organic, and palm oil-free ingredients in the UK. Choose from milk chocolate owls, white chocolate polar bears, mixed milk and white chocolate penguins, or a festive mix featuring robins. These delicious goodies are a sweet way to celebrate wildlife.
Cocoa Loco chocolate robins in milk, white, and dark chocolate next to their box
Dube the Polar Bear Felted Slippers by Hector & Queen
Keep little feet warm with these charming, handmade felted slippers shaped like polar bears. Crafted by skilled women artisans in Nepal, these award-winning slippers feature soft suede anti-slip soles and come in an organic drawstring bag. Available in sizes from baby booties up to age 3–4 years, they make a cozy and ethical gift. Plus, each purchase supports the wildlife conservation charity Tusk.
Pair of adorable felted children’s slippers designed as polar bears
RSPB Window Bird Feeder
Bring wildlife observation right to the window! This clever bird feeder attaches to glass with suction cups, allowing children (and adults!) to see garden birds like robins, tits, and sparrows up close. It features a detachable tray, making cleaning and refilling simple and mess-free. It’s an excellent way to foster an appreciation for local wildlife from the comfort of home.
Clear window bird feeder with suction cups attached to a window pane
Wildlife Charity Membership
Consider gifting a membership to a wildlife conservation charity. Many organisations offer family or child-specific memberships that include age-appropriate magazines, welcome packs often containing goodies like pin badges or cuddly toys, and exclusive content. It’s a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year, fostering a deeper connection to wildlife and conservation efforts.
Conclusion
Choosing gifts for animal loving kids offers a wonderful opportunity to encourage their passion for the natural world. From stimulating construction toys and engaging board games to practical items and unique keepsakes, the options are plentiful. By selecting presents that are not only fun but also educational and inspiring, you can help cultivate a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and the importance of conservation. These carefully chosen gifts aim to provide hours of enjoyment while subtly developing essential skills and knowledge about the amazing creatures we share our planet with.
